Medical devices firm to create 100 Galway jobs

A top US medical devices firm is to create 100 new jobs with a €6.7m expansion of its plant in Galway, it was announced today.

Merit Medical, which employs 250 people in Galway, is to enter the surgical pre-pack business in Europe and establish Galway as its European centre.

The company, established in Galway in 1994, manufacturing guidewires and inflation devices used in hospitals worldwide.

It has been involved in research and development since 1997 and today's announcement includes the purchase of a €1.4m property in Parkmore East, Co Galway.

Announcing the jobs, Enterprise Minister Batt O'Keeffe described the investment as significant for Ireland's life science sector.

"Ireland has a strong cluster of firms in the life science sector with eight of the top 10 pharmaceutical and 15 of the top 20 medical devices companies based here.

"The 100 new jobs will add to our reputation as a global leader for life science firms."